North Dakota Concealed Carry Permit Basics

North Dakota Concealed Weapon License Basics

North Dakota issues two classes of Concealed Weapon Licenses (CWL) under N.D.C.C. Chapter 62.1-04. Both licenses are administered by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) within the Office of the Attorney General. North Dakota is a shall-issue jurisdiction: BCI must issue the license if the applicant meets all statutory requirements.

In addition to the licensed system, North Dakota allows constitutional (permitless) concealed carry for qualifying residents (see Constitutional Carry section). The CWL remains useful primarily for reciprocity with other states and as a federal alternative to NICS for handgun purchases at FFLs.

License Classes

North Dakota issues two parallel classes under N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-03:

Both classes are equally valid for in-state carry. The practical difference is reciprocity: Class 1 (with live-fire qualification) is recognized by more states than Class 2.

Core Eligibility (N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-03)

To be issued either class of CWL, an applicant must:

1. Be a United States citizen or legal permanent resident alien.
2. Be legally able to possess a firearm or dangerous weapon under state and federal law.
3. Be at least 18 years old (Class 2) or 21 years old (Class 1).
4. Satisfy one of the following residency conditions:
   • Be a resident of North Dakota, OR
   • Be on full-time active military duty stationed in North Dakota, OR
   • Be a resident of a reciprocity state who holds a valid concealed weapon license from that state.
5. Successfully complete the required training and testing within the state of North Dakota. Out-of-state training cannot be substituted.
6. Pass a state and federal criminal background check conducted by BCI on every new and renewal application.

Disqualifying Factors

Per N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-03, applicants are disqualified for any condition that makes them a federally or state-prohibited person under 18 U.S.C. 922(g) or N.D.C.C. 62.1-02-01, including:

• A felony conviction.
• A misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (including disorderly-conduct convictions arising from domestic-violence facts).
• A misdemeanor conviction involving violence with a weapon.
• Being an unlawful user of, or addicted to, a controlled substance.
• Being adjudicated as a mental defective or committed for mental health treatment.
• Dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Renunciation of U.S. citizenship.
• Unlawful presence in the United States.
• Being subject to a qualifying domestic-violence protection order.
• Being a fugitive from justice.
• Having firearm rights removed by court order.

Class 1-specific disqualifier: A conviction of any alcohol-related offense within the past 3 years disqualifies an applicant for a Class 1 license. The applicant may still pursue a Class 2 license.

Confidentiality of Applications

Under N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-03, the contents of CWL applications and the issuance status of any license are confidential. BCI is prohibited by law from confirming application status to any person, including the applicant. Applicants who want delivery confirmation should submit by certified mail with return receipt.

What the License Authorizes

A North Dakota CWL authorizes the holder to:

• Carry a concealed pistol or other dangerous weapon (as defined in N.D.C.C. 62.1-01-01) anywhere in North Dakota that is not a statutorily prohibited place.
• Carry concealed in reciprocity states honoring the relevant class of license (see Reciprocity section).
• Serve as a NICS alternative: an active ND CWL issued after the standard background-check requirements is a qualifying permit under 27 C.F.R. 478.102(d), exempting the holder from a NICS check at an FFL when purchasing a firearm. Confirm current ATF qualification at the time of purchase.

What the License Does Not Override

A CWL does not authorize carry in:

• Federally prohibited places (federal buildings, federal courthouses, post offices, military installations, TSA sterile areas, VA facilities) under 18 U.S.C. 930 and related statutes.
• State-prohibited places under N.D.C.C. 62.1-02 (see Prohibited Places).
• Private property where the owner has banned firearms.

Permitless (Constitutional) Carry vs. CWL

Renewal Snapshot

• Class 1 renewal: A holder must retake all training and testing every 5 years and re-pay the full application fee. There is no abbreviated renewal track.
• Class 2 renewal: Renewal application must be submitted within the 6-month window before expiration. No testing is required, and BCI uses fingerprints already on file.
• Expired licenses cannot be renewed; the holder must reapply as a new applicant with full testing.

See the Application Process, Training Requirements, and Renewal Process sections for full procedural detail.

Statutory References

Contact

• ND BCI Concealed Weapon Licensing Unit: (701) 328-5523
• Mailing: BCI-CWL, PO Box 1054, Bismarck, ND 58502
• Physical: 1720 Burlington Dr, Suite B, Bismarck, ND 58504
• ND Attorney General general inquiries: (701) 328-2210
• Website: attorneygeneral.nd.gov (Concealed Weapon Licensing section)